An Analysis of Distance Regulation Between Humans and Robots by Proxemics

Abstract

The theory of proxemics argues for the importance of people regulating the distance they keep from each other, allowing the construction of boundaries of personal space that, when violated, generate discomfort. The spread of robots in modern society directs their social interaction with human beings. This interaction demands that the rules of proxemics be respected. To deepen this view, a systematic search was carried out in the PsycInfo database with the keywords “psychology* AND proxemic*” covering the period of five years (2017 to 2022). This search revealed a total of 56 references. Of this total, 18 were selected and 38 rejected for being out of scope. The types of relationship-based studies found were: Avatar-Person (22.2%), Robot-Person (27.8%), Person-Person (27.8%) and Absent (22.2%). The presence of studies based on Avatar-Person relationships, even though smaller than that of Person-Person relationships, can be explained by the fact that the use of avatars allows for the collection of objective data on proxemics. In fact, among the arguments supporting the use of avatars in proxemic studies are: ecological validity of environments (study environments undergo no alteration), ability to record real-time responses, and estimates of high accuracy of involuntary reactions during communication with virtual partners.